OnScript

Matthew R. Schlimm – This Strange and Sacred Scripture

Episode Summary

In this interview, Matt L. talks about This Strange and Sacred Scripture with author, Old Testament Scholar, and professor Matthew Schlimm. They discuss Matthew’s relationship with the Hardy Boys novels, why the Old Testament is like a friend, laws about eating locusts, places where the Old Testament gets in a fight with itself, and much more that makes the Old Testament so strange and wonderful.

Guest 

Dr. Matthew R. Schlimm is Associate Professor of Old Testament at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He completed his Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at Duke University. His research interests focus on biblical theology and biblical ethics.  His first book, From Fratricide to Forgiveness: The Language and Ethics of Anger in Genesis, examines the various episodes involving human anger in Genesis, moving from Cain’s murdering Abel in Genesis 4 to Joseph’s forgiving his brothers in Genesis 50.  His most recent book, This Strange and Sacred Scripture: Wrestling with the Old Testament and Its Oddities, examines key questions that the Old Testament raises.  Schlimm has also served as one of the editors for the CEB Study Bible and published in a variety of journals.

Book

Schlimm’s book This Strange and Sacred Scripture (Baker Academic, 2015) combines ‘pastoral insight, biblical scholarship, and a healthy dose of humility, gifted teacher and communicator Matthew Schlimm explores perennial theological questions raised by the Old Testament. He provides strategies for reading and appropriating these sacred texts, showing how the Old Testament can shape the lives of Christians today and helping them appreciate the Old Testament as a friend in faith.’ (from the Baker Academic website)

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Peter Enns – The Sin of Certainty

Guest: Dr. Enns is Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University in Pennsylvania. He teaches and writes on Old Testament, New Testament, Second Temple Judaism, and the intersection of biblical studies and contemporary Christian faith. He speaks actively in academic and ecclesiastical venues on topics pertaining the Bible and Christian faith. He has written or edited over a dozen books and many articles and essays. His books include Inspiration and Incarnation, The Evolution of Adam,The Bible Tells Me So, and now, The Sin of Certainty.

Interview Details: Pete and Matt L. discuss the uncertainties of faith, of life, and of life with the Bible. We also talk about how Pete has managed the challenge of losing control of his faith. Matt asks Pete his opinion on the ideal of ‘knowing what you believe’ and on ‘always being prepared to give an answer … about the hope that is in you’ (1 Peter 3:15). Pete also talks about the ‘slippery slope’ of certainty. Finally, Pete addresses three of his favorite OT books for navigating the loss of certainty. And, by the way, Pete was swinging a baseball bat in his study during the interview. I’m glad it wasn’t an in-person interview.

Book: The Sin of Certainty: Why God Desires our Trust More Than Our ‘Correct’ Beliefs. In this book, Pete explores the idol of certainty, by which he means the need to know in order to have a robust faith. Pete talks about ways that encounters with the Bible trigger faith crises and uncertainty, but also how that same Bible provides resources for a new kind of faith, one that requires trust. Harper One has a FREE Small Group Study Guide available as well, FYI. I know, it’s almost too good to be true.

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Special thanks to HarperOne for the review copy of Pete’s book!